Valentine GREEN after Kettle

Miss Harrison

A full-length mezzotint portrait by Valentine Green after the portrait by Kettle and published in London circa 1770.
Miss Harrison is depicted in a garden setting dressed in a flowing white dress and is shown with a dove alighting on her right hand.

This is an early impression, before inscription, trimmed to plate mark.

Valentine Green was born in Worcestershire around 1739. He began his working life in a lawyer’s office but soon became a pupil to an obscure line-engraver in Worcester. In the 1760’s he arrived in London and exhibited at Spring Gardens in 1766. In 1775 he was appointed associate engraver to the newly formed Royal Academy and mezzotint engraver to His Majesty, King George III. Tilly Kettle (1735-86) was an accomplished portrait painter and the first English artist to work out in India. His career began with successful commissions in Oxford and London during the 1760’s but in 1768 he set sail for India with The East India Company and subsequently worked in both Madras and Calcutta. He returned to England in 1776 where he married for what were thought to be financial reasons. Sadly, he found his popularity at home had waned during his absence abroad and with growing debt he decided to return to India in 1786. He died some time after leaving London.